Canadian Cop In Bridesmaids: Who Is He?

In the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, Irish actor and comedian Chris O'Dowd plays Officer Nathan Rhodes, a traffic cop with a charmingly confusing accent. While the character is supposed to be Midwestern, O'Dowd's Irish brogue shines through, creating a unique and intriguing mix of American and Irish inflections. This blend adds a layer of humour to the character and has left viewers guessing as to the exact origin of his accent. O'Dowd himself has commented on the ambiguity, expressing his delight that the film never explicitly mentions his character's Irish heritage.

Chris O'Dowd's accent in Bridesmaids

In the 2011 comedy film Bridesmaids, Irish actor Chris O'Dowd plays Officer Nathan Rhodes, a Midwestern police officer and the love interest of Kristen Wiig's character.

O'Dowd has stated that he initially auditioned for the role with an American accent, as he usually does. However, the film's director, Paul Feig, was familiar with O'Dowd's work on the British comedy show The IT Crowd and asked him to re-audition with his Irish accent. Producer Judd Apatow also liked the idea of O'Dowd using his real accent, as it added a unique element to the film and helped to avoid a formulaic love story.

While O'Dowd has described his accent in the film as his "normal Irish accent", many Irish viewers have disagreed, finding it distinct from his famous Roscommon lilt. They have described it as a strange mix of American and Irish, and some have even called it a "conspiracy theory to gaslight" Irish viewers. On the other hand, American viewers seem to perceive it as a fully Irish accent, with no hint of an American twang.

O'Dowd himself has expressed his enjoyment at the lack of explanation for his character's accent in the film, stating that it is one of his favourite parts of the movie.

O'Dowd's character in the film

In the 2011 film Bridesmaids, Chris O'Dowd plays the character of Officer Nathan Rhodes, a traffic cop with a distinctive accent. While O'Dowd is Irish, his character's accent is a blend of American and Irish, leaving viewers from both countries perplexed.

In the film, Rhodes interacts with Annie, played by Kristen Wiig, and Helen, played by Rose Byrne. He is shown to be sarcastic and witty in his exchanges with them, as evidenced by the following lines:

> Rhodes: Do you want to tell a cop about it? We're just like priests except we would tell everybody afterwards.

> Annie: Nathan... please? I really need your help.

> Helen: [peeks over] Please, Nathan?

> Rhodes: Who's this one?

> Annie: This is Helen.

> Helen: [offers her hand] I'm Helen.

> Rhodes: [smiles dryly] Hello, Helen. I've heard... wonderful things.

O'Dowd's character also breaks the fourth wall and addresses the audience directly in a self-referential manner:

> Officer Nathan Rhodes: This is kind of high octane stuff that really made me want to become a cop. Missing girl found at her apartment... it's adrenaline pinching.

O'Dowd's performance in Bridesmaids received positive reviews, with many viewers finding his character charming and adorable. His character's accent, however, remained a topic of discussion and speculation, with some noting that it sounded like a mix of American and Irish. Despite the ambiguity, O'Dowd stated in interviews that he used his regular Irish accent for the role, and both the director and producer were in favour of keeping it that way.

The actor's other works

Irish actor and comedian Chris O'Dowd played Officer Nathan Rhodes in the 2011 film Bridesmaids. O'Dowd is best known for his role as Roy Trenneman in the Channel 4 comedy The IT Crowd, which ran from 2006 to 2010. He has also appeared in several films, including Gulliver's Travels (2010), Friends with Kids (2011), Cuban Fury (2014), and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016). In addition to acting, O'Dowd has written, produced, and directed several projects. He created and starred in the Sky 1 television series Moone Boy, which aired from 2012 to 2015. He also had a recurring role on the comedy-drama series Girls and won a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance in the British comedy TV series State of the Union.

O'Dowd's film credits include This Is 40 (2012), where he described "fighting over Megan Fox in a pool" as "one of the most fun things I've ever done". He played Dave in the Australian musical The Sapphires (2012) and co-wrote Moone Boy, a series based on his childhood, for Sky 1. He made his Broadway debut in 2014 with a role in the play adaptation of Of Mice and Men, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. In 2017, he began playing Miles Daly in the Epix comedy series Get Shorty and received a nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role from the IFTA Film & Drama Awards.

O'Dowd has continued to balance film and television work, starring in the Netflix film Slumberland (2022) and the television series The Big Door Prize (2023-2024). He has also lent his voice to animated projects, such as Mary Poppins Returns and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

O'Dowd's personal life

Christopher "Chris" O'Dowd, the Irish actor and comedian who played Officer Nathan Rhodes in Bridesmaids, was born on 9 October 1979 in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland. He is the youngest of five siblings, with his father, Seán, working as a sign designer, and his mother, Denise, working as a counsellor and psychotherapist.

O'Dowd studied politics and sociology at University College Dublin and later attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, although he left before graduating. He contributed to The University Observer and was active in the UCD Drama Society and the Literary and Historical Society.

O'Dowd's career in entertainment began with a minor role in the 2005 film Festival, for which he won a Scottish BAFTA award. He then went on to star in several films and TV shows, including Channel 4's comedy The IT Crowd, where he played one of the lead characters, Roy Trenneman. He gained wider attention for this role, which ran for four series between 2006 and 2010.

In 2012, O'Dowd married Scottish writer, director, and television presenter Dawn Porter, who changed her surname to O'Porter after their wedding. They have two sons together, Art O'Porter, born in 2015, and Valentine, born in 2017. The family divides their time between homes in Los Angeles, California, Bermondsey in London, and Margate in Kent.

The impact of Bridesmaids on his career

Irish actor and comedian Chris O'Dowd played Officer Nathan Rhodes in the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids. The role had a significant impact on his career, introducing him to a wider American audience and leading to further opportunities in film and television.

O'Dowd's performance in Bridesmaids was well-received, with audiences finding him charming and adorable. His Irish accent, in particular, stood out and became a topic of discussion among viewers, who debated whether he was using his natural accent or adopting an American twang. This led to interviews and press coverage, further raising his profile.

Following Bridesmaids, O'Dowd went on to star in several Hollywood films, including "This Is 40" (2012), "The Sapphires" (2012), "Thor: The Dark World" (2013), and "St. Vincent" (2014). He also continued to work in television, appearing in the comedy-drama series "Girls" and creating and starring in the Sky 1 series "Moone Boy" (2012-2015).

In addition to acting, O'Dowd has also written and produced projects, including the series "Moone Boy," which was based on his childhood. His work has earned him several award nominations and wins, including a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance in the British comedy TV series "State of the Union".

Overall, O'Dowd's role in Bridesmaids helped establish him as a leading man and comedic talent in both film and television, leading to a successful and varied career in the entertainment industry.

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